Generally, Christians base their basic concepts of "the church" on an institutional model rather then a purpose model. A common response is, "I use both models." It is easy to think, "I use both models," when the person thinks about the purposes of an institution.
From the beginning, God's objectives in the church were not bonded to an institutional model. Religious institutional models existed when "the church" belonging to God and Jesus began. Yet, "the church" was never asked to reproduce those models.
Specific examples of this fact exist in scripture. One is seen in this fact: "The church" was never directed to construct temples and reproduce temple institutions, traditions, or systems. Israel had a temple. Idol worshippers had many temples. Most converts from Judaism and idolatry shared similar experiences in temple worship in some form. It would not have been a strange experience to either group of new Christians to construct temples, make pilgrimages to those temples, or organize the familiar forms found in temple institutions.
Yet, "the church" was not a temple in the common sense of temples at that time in that world. The Jewish Christian writer, Peter, stated, "...You also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. ...But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God's own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light..." (1 Peter 2:5, 9). The Jewish Christian, Paul [the apostle to the Gentiles--Galatians 2:7], wrote to the Christians at Corinth, "Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own? For you have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body." In this statement he spoke to Christians as individuals condemning adultery. Paul said to the same Christians, "Do you not know that you are a temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? If any man destroys the temple of God, God will destroy him, for the temple of God is holy, and that is what you are" [1 Corinthians 3:16, 17]. In context, Paul condemned the destructive division in that congregation (1:10). As a group of Christians, they collectively needed to understand that actions and attitudes that resulted in destructiveness to the "called out," God's temple, assured destruction to those who caused the destruction.
The purposes of a temple [the building, including the Jewish temple--see 1 Kings 8:10, 11] was to contain the presence of God (or a god) in a special sense. The immediacy of God's presence was reflected by the temple. God through Peter and Paul declared that (1) no longer is God's immediate presence among a people by a temple facility. Rather, (2) God's immediate presence is declared in God's people, "the called out." God's temple is no longer a building, but a people. Just as it was inappropriate for ungodly things to occur in God's building, it is inappropriate for ungodly things to occur in the bodies of the "called out."
Second, consider the purpose models. God's purpose in the "called out" is to redirect their lives (a) away from evil as their dominant influence (b) to God as their dominant influence. (1) The "called out" assemble to praise God for what He has done and does for them in Jesus Christ. (2) The objective of being a "called out" person is to grow in faith in the Christ and God. (3) Success is not determined by or measured in numerical verifications, but in the spiritual maturing of individuals. (4) While the "called out" man or woman deeply desires to do things in biblical ways, the emphasis is on being a godly person. (5) Verification that growth is occurring is demonstrated in repentance; in faith in God and Jesus; in peace in the face of adversity; in hope based on God's promises; and in joy in belonging to God through Jesus Christ. The fruit of the Spirit are the goals of spirituality (Galatians 5:22, 23).
The objective of this lesson is to challenge all who are converted to Jesus Christ to serve God by (a) adopting godliness as the purpose of human existence and (b) measuring things in the same manner God measures them. It is to challenge Christians to understand God's purposes in every man and woman who chooses to be a part of God's "called out." It is to challenge Christians to be God's light in the world of darkness by calling people to Christ through existing as godly people whose lives reflect God's presence and blessings. The desire is to generate thought and understanding, not conflict. Think rather than react.
Thought Questions:
Link to Teacher's Guide
Lesson 4